He pointed out a handful of small houses in the distance, noting the differences in the stone and the way they formed a semi-circle to greet the tide. Built in 1907, apparently.

Soon he looked down and apologised at the state of her muddy ankle boots. It was his idea to go this way, after all. Truthfully, she said she didn’t mind. A group of dog walkers in full rain gear acknowledged them cheerily. The coastal air hummed, fluorescent lights and roaring traffic pleasingly absent.